Sad news

Looks like the bees didn't make it.  We've been having a few really cold days over the past few weeks, and I doubt that the bees had enough food stored away in the comb to hold them over.  I did have some fondant in there to try to keep them going, but it didn't help.

When I found out that they didn't make it, it was kind of like a friend passing away.  I enjoyed checking on them and seeing them flying on warm days.  The only thing I can do now is try to figure out what went wrong, and try to keep it from happening this year.

Good luck with your bees, and I hope you have better fortune than I with overwintering.

Beehive in January

My hive in January.  The boards leaning against it are from when I moved it. They are supposed to make the bees reorient themselves so they can find their way home.

I'm planning for the new year, and I'd like to host two more colonies this year.  They will probably be two Warre People's Hives.  I'm not giving up my Kenyan top-bar hive.  I haven't had any big issues with it, and the observation window has really been helpful with beginning beekeeping.  The People's Hive is another type of top-bar hive designed by Abbe Emile Warre, so it is in keeping with my current beekeeping method.

Now, my current issue is where to get the colonies.  I could try making a split in the spring--that's if my current colony survives.  I'd really like to let my current colony be and get a couple packages.  Those couple packages would ideally come with locally raised/mated queens, so if anyone knows of a good source in the Maryland area, please leave me a note.  And if those packages come with Russian queens, even better.  I'll let you know what happens.

For anyone out there thinking of starting beekeeping this year, a lot of bee suppliers just started taking orders, and they have limited supplies.  So, now is the time to be planning:  finding a local beekeeping club, signing up for a class, researching getting equipment and bees, etc.

Not much new here.  The temperature reached the 50s (F) again this past week and the bees took to the air.  I feel a little relief every time I see them flying.  They had a hard summer this year just getting started (and their host just getting started, too).  I will be keeping an eye on the temperature and whenever it gets up in the 60s again, I'll be adding another cake of fondant.  So far, so good.